Nha Trang is the usual stop for most travellers on their way from the South to the center or vice versa. I really like Nha Trang, its a great place to relax for a fews days on the beach, and go diving or take a boat trip and somewhere I would recommend adding to any Vietnam travel itinerary.
Getting There
By Plane
Nha Trang airport gets about 10 flights a week from Saigon (650.000 VND) and 1 daily flight from Danang (550.000 VND). The airport is very near to the town, taxi’s don’t cost much and if you are booked to stay a bigger hotels they will usually come and pick you up for free.
By Train
It is possible to take a train from other destinations in Vietnam.
By Bus
The night bus from Saigon is very reasonably priced. Book in-advanced as spaces can fill up quick. The buses coming from Hoi An and Dalat on the contrary are horribly uncomfortable due to the bad roads.
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Nha Trang Lodge. This is a big block on the other side of the road from the beach. Normal price is 50 US$ for a double, but they give promotions till 40 US$ including breakfast. Rooms are good with AC, TV, etc…, and most of them have a great view over the beach. However, as in most hotels is Vietnam, the isolation is not so good, so we had some noise at night from the Karaoke bar at 250 m from the hotel. The have a swimming pool, but they share it with another hotel, so you’ll have to walk for 150 metres. However, the beach is just a 30 metres walk over the road.
Restaurants/Cafés
Louisiana Brewhouse is a top place right on the beach, but they also have a swimming pool. It’s kept by French people. Food is excellent, but understandably a bit more expensive. The Sailing club is the place to be at night with good atmosphere. Omar’s restaurant is a good Indian restaurant with 2 branches in Nguyen Thien Thuat St. 24c and Tran Phu St. 96A/7.
What to Do
Nha Trang is on the coast and so most activities are outdoors. View more of my Vietnam travel tips for more things to do in the country.
Scuba Diving
As soon as you step foot in Nha Trang airport, you’ll get leaflets from dive shops. In fact, business (and competition) has exploded in the past few decades. More and more dive shops are opening every year and you can expect fierce competition and consequently, prices have dropped. Diving here is very cheap!
Dive Shops
Rainbow Divers are certainly one of the most popular dive operators and they have publicity almost everywhere. They charge low prices for dives and boats are usually full of tourists. Other clubs to consider include Coco Divers, Orca Divers and Louisiana Divers.
Where to Dive?
My first dive was at Madonna’s Rock. This is apparently a classical dive spot, as the other boats where there also. I wasn’t impressed at all with this spot. Depth is about 15 metres, but there’s only few coral and fish. The reason they go there is that they have some rock formations with some small caves and passages as well. The second dive was much better. It was at Moray Beach where corals are absolutely beautiful. It is a shallow dive (between 3 and 7 metres), so it’s also possible to go snorkeling). I didn’t see too much fish, except for 1 giant eel.
When to Dive
The diving season starts mid-January or beginning of February and ends mid-October. After that, rainy season sets in, and visiblity becomes too poor so they stop diving.
Boat Trips
Boat trips have become very popular mainly thanks to Mama Hanh. For 7 US$, you get a boat trips with great food, booze and joints. If you’re not into joints, it’s better to go on other trips like Mama Linh. Don’t expect too much of the snorkeling, as these slow boats usually cannot go to Moray Beach.
In the beginning of 2000, Mama Hanh spent some time in prison because of the hasjies found on he boat, but I couldn’t figure out what has happened since. Some say she’s free again, others say she’s not.
Tours
If you have more time in Nha Trang, it is worthwhile to go inland, as you can see some interesting scenery, as well as marvellous waterfalls (100m wide !). Some people in Nha Trang will offer you to guide you around for around 5 days on motorbikes, where you’ll visit all these places and villages, and then drop you in Hoi An. Price is about 25 US$ pp. You can have 1 passenger on 1 motorbike, but they can have several motorbikes if you want to.
- The Ho Chi Minh Trail tour takes you to Hoi An in 5 days via Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, Kontum and the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
- Another trip without the Ho Chi Minh trail takes you to Hoi An via My Lai (4 days).
- You can also make a loop to Buon Ma Thuot and visit the minorities there, ride elephants and see the waterfalls and return to Nha Trang (2 to 3 days).
Check out my Vietnam city travel guides for more tips about what to see and do in each place:
Hanoi Travel Guide
Hoi An Travel Guide
Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide